Avalanche Forecast

Issued: May 17th, 2018 4:00PM

The alpine rating is below threshold, the treeline rating is below threshold, and the below treeline rating is below threshold. Known problems include Loose Wet, Wet Slabs and Wind Slabs.

deryl kelly, Parks Canada

Jasper.

Lingering snow in gulleys and northernly features will continue to cycle through diurnal swings in temperature, increasing the hazard through the day.

Summary

Weather Forecast

Environment Canada for the Jasper Townsite

Snowpack Summary

Snow still sticking around at treeline elevations and above on northerly slopes. Deep persistent slabs are out on most aspects in the alpine and treeline. Large triggers, like cornices still lingering in many alpine areas. Isolated spring storms may create non persistent instabilities, like wind slabs, and sluffing.

Avalanche Summary

Large destructive avalanche are running from all elevations and aspects!

Confidence

Problems

Loose Wet

Expect these avalanches to start early on all slopes where the seasonal snow persists.

If triggered the loose wet sluffs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Very Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Wet Slabs

Warm temperatures, solar radiation, and cornices falling; one, or a combination of these are acting as triggers and creating large destructive avalanches.

Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain, large avalanches may reach the end of run out zones.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Likely - Very Likely

Expected Size

1.5 - 3.5

Wind Slabs

Spring weather can often bring variable amounts of precipitation, localized winds, and rapid loading in alpine lee features.

If triggered the storm/wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: May 18th, 2018 4:00PM